Mercedes-Benz will rapidly expand its Plug-in Hybrid range

Mercedes-Benz is getting its act together, and not a moment too soon. Following the official presentation of the hybrid S-Class (S500 Plug-in), the German manufacturer has admitted that its eco-friendly range will rapidly grow in number.

The S500 Plug-in is not the first hybrid from Mercedes-Benz. The previous S-Class already offered a hybrid variant (S400 Hybrid), and the current E-Class comes with two: a petrol (E400 Hybrid) and a diesel (E300 Bluetec Hybrid).

Mercedes does not want to give too many details, but it has admitted that its current hybrid system could work in combination with four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, as well as diesel V6 engines.
This statement opens the door to a low-consumption hybrid variant for practically the entire range. The plug-in system reduces fuel consumption by 50% while maintaining the performance of a conventional combustion-engined vehicle.

Just to give an example, the new S500 Plug-in features a petrol V6 engine which, combined with an electric motor and its corresponding 8.7 kWh lithium-ion batteries, delivers V8-level performance while consuming much less. As a result, it records an average consumption of under 4 l/100 km.
In addition, it can run in fully electric mode for up to 30 km, without consuming any fuel at all.

Mercedes-Benz is not the only (nor the first) brand to embrace hybrid propulsion. Lexus set the course with its high-performance hybrids, although it now faces rivals of the calibre of Porsche, which launched the new Panamera S e-hybrid in the spring, with a layout similar to the Mercedes but with an even lower average consumption of 3.1 l/100 km.

Source | Mercedes-Benz